Package handling machine



1959 E. K. THOMSON 2 ,870,922

PACKAGE HANDLING MACHINE Filed Feb. 25. 1955.

13 Sheets-Sheet 1 v IN VEN TOR. @7 7 Afiazf 7201229017,

BY Pw PM ATTORNEYS.

J 1959 E. K. THOMSON PACKAGE HANDLING MACHINE '15 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 23. 1955 E. K. i'HoMsoN PACKAGE HANDLING MACHINE Jan. 27, 1959 15 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Feb. 23. 1955 n3 9? n3 NN &

- m NUNN Jan. 27, 1959 v E. K. THOMSON 2,370,922

PACKAGE HANDLING MACHINE Filed Fab. 25. 1955 '13 Sheets-Sheet 4 HG 1B- INVENTORI Ely Kim," 7 001775017,

BY Wd-Pml ATTbRNEYS.

27,1959 E. K.. THOMSON 2,

, PACKAGE HANDLING MACHINE Filed Feb. 25. 1955 1s Sheets-Sheet 5 131 FIG. 8 1 2 W am/$ 4 K I or SEQUENCE I MECA/AlV/JM 5/ ATTORNEYS.

1959 E. K. THOMSON PACKAGE HANDLING MACHINE Filed Feb. 25. 1955 15 Sheets-Sheet 6 gm QW Jan. 27, 1959 E. K. 'i'HOMSON' I I 2 PACKAGE HANDLING MACHINE Filed Feb. 25. 1955 1s Sheets-Sheet 7 INVENTOR. fig fiimz' Y/mmsaw,

Y PM PM A TTORNEYS.

27, 1959 E. K. THOMSON 2,870,922

PACKAGE HANDLING MACHINE '15 Sheet s-Sheet 8 Filed- Feb. 25. 1955 BY Pawfif Paul A TTORNEYS.

Jan. 27,1959 E. K. THOMSON 2,870,922

PACKAGE HANDLING MACHINE Filed Feb. 23. 1955' 1s sh ets-sheet 9 A TTORNEYSH Jan. 27, 1959 THOMSON I 2,870,922

PACKAGE HANDLING MACHINE Filed Feb. 25.1955 15 Sheets-Sheet 11 V 194' INVENTOR. Ely K/mz 77701225017,

BY PM Hm ATTORNEYS.

1959 E. K. THOMSON PACKAGE HANDLING MACHINE 1s Sheets-Sheet 12 Filed Feb. 23. 1955 IN VEN TORI A TTORNEYS.

Jan. 27,1959

E. K. THOMSON PACKAGE HANDLING MACHINE 13 Sheets-Sheet 13 Filed Feb. 25. 1955' IN VEN TOR.

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Unit d States "mm PACKAGE HANDLING MACHINE Ely K. Thomson, Orange, Tex. Application February 23, 1955, Serial No. 489,992 as Claims. c1. 214-6 This invention relates to a machine for handling packages, and more particularly relates to an automatic package stacking apparatus of the type disclosed in my co-pending patent application Serial No. 306,365, filed August 26, 1952, now Patent 2,703,653 issued March 8, 1955, of which this application is a coritinuationdn-part.

It is an object of this invention to provide an efiicient and fully automatic machine for stacking packages in a warehouse, truck or railroad car, for example.

A more specific object of this invention is to provide a mobile package stacking device which can be positioned inside a carrier such as a truck or railroad car, for example, and which receives individual packages and fills the carrier with such packages, stacking the packages in accordance with a pre-determined geometric pattern.

It is well known in warehousing practice that it is desirable, when stacking rectangular and other packages, to stagger the packages so that some of the packages extend longitudinally and others laterally and stabilize each other by reason of the staggered pattern. This form of stacking is known in the art as warehouse stacking or rack stacking.

It is another objectof this invention to provide an automatic machine for stacking a plurality of substantially uniform packages into rows of adjacent stacks, utilizing the principles of warehouse stacking or rack stacking.

When a confined space of limited size, such as a space within a truck or railroad car for example, is to be filled substantially completely with packages of uniformsize, it is often found that the width, length or height of the storage space is not an exact multiple of the length, width or height of the packages. Accordingly, utilizing ordinary stacking methods, a certain amount of space is wasted at the front, back or sides of the storage space. It is another object of this invention to provide an automatic stacking machine which stacks elongated packages in a confined space, and which stacks some of the cases lengthwise and others sidewise, all in accordance with a specific pre-determined irregular pattern, in order to minimize wasted space.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a package stacking device which is of itself mobile and which automatically moves itself away from a stack after completion of said stack. In this connection, it is a still further object of this invention to provide a machine for stacking packages in a confined space such as a railroad car or truck, for example, which automatically backs itself out of said space as it fills the space with stacked packages.

Other objects and advantages of this invention, including the precision and fully automatic character of the same, will further become apparent hereinafter and in the drawings whereof:

Fig. 1 represents a view in perspective of one specific form of package stacking machine constructed in accordance with the principles of this invention, a portion of the frame of the machine being broken away in order more clearly to illustrate important details;

2,876,922 Patented Jan. 27, 1959 -2 i Fig. 2 represents a sectional view taken as indicated by the lines and arrows lI--II which appear in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 represents a plan view, partially in section, of

the package handling portionof the machine illustrated by the lines and arrows V-V which appear in Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 represents a sectional view in plan, showingthe sweep arm operating mechanism of the device, and taken as indicated by the lines and arrows VIVI which appear in Fig. 2; i

Fig. 7 represents a plan. view similar to Fig. 6, showing another position of the sweep arm mechanism in order to moreclearly illustrate its operation;

Fig. 8 represents an enlarged vertical sectional view of a turntable operating mechanism, taken as indicated by the lines andarrows VIIIVIII which appear in Fig. 2; i p M Fig. 9 represents a plan viewin section of the tumtable operating mechanism, taken as indicated by the lines and arrows IX -IX which appear in Fig. 8;

Figs. 1013 represent perspective views of the turntable operating mechanism, showing the relative movements ofthe1parts in order more clearly to illustrate the operation of the turntable mechanism;

Fig. 14 represents a vertical sectional view of the package handling'portion of the machine, taken as indicated by the lines and arrows XIV-XIV which appear in Fig. l; i

Fig. 15 represents a vertical sectional view similar to Fig. 14, showing the relative movements of the parts, in order more clearly to illustrate the operation of the apparatus;

Fig. 16 represents a sectional view taken as indicated by the lines and arrOwsXVI-XVI which appear in Fig. 15;

Fig. 17 represents a lateral sectional view of the package supporting portion of the package handling machine of Fig. l, taken'as indicated by the lines and arrows XVII-XVII which appear in Fig. 1;

Fig. 18 represents a planview taken as indicated by the lines and arrows XVIII-XVIII which appear in Fig. 17; p

Fig. l9represents a fragmentary view in perspective considerably. enlarged, of one end portion of the package supporting means shown in Fig. 1, certain of the parts being broken away and shown in section in order more clearly to illustrate important details;

Fig. 20 represents a front end view, taken as indicated by the lines and arrows XXXX in Fig. 1, of the lower portion of the packagehandling machine, showas indicated by the lines and arrows which.

appear in Fig. 20; p

Fig. 22 represents a front end view similar to Fig. 20, showing the parts in relatively displaced positions in order more clearly to illustrate the operation of the apparatus;

Fig. 23 represents a fragmentary side elevation taken as indicated by the lines and arrows XXIIL-XXIII which appear in Fig. 22;, n

Fig. 24 represents a view in perspective of an extension member of the article supporting plate illustrated in Fig. l of the drawings; I i

Fig. 25 represents a perspective view of another extension member for thearticle supporting plate;

Fig. 26 represents aview in perspective of an extension in perspective and side elevation of the package handling 2 portion of the apparatus, illustrating the manner in which the respective parts function in the absence of any package on the package supporting member;

Figs. 32-36 are views similar to Figs. 28-31, illustrating the manner in which packages are handled by the packagestacking portion of the apparatus;

Figs. 37-41 are views similar to Figs. 32-36, illustrating the operation of the device in forming adjacent rows of packages all of which are longitudinally arranged;

Figs. 42 and 43 'representviews in perspective of the apparatus illustrating the manner in which it forms adjacent rows of packages, some of which are longitudinally arranged and others laterally arranged; and

Fig. 44 represents a diagram illustrating the electrical, hydraulic and pneumatic connections and the components of the apparatusjwhich assure its automatic operation.

It will be appreciated that, in the description which follows, specific terms are used for the sake of clarity. Those terms are not intended to have any bearing on the scope of the invention, but only'to describe the specific form of the invention selected for illustration in the draw- ].ngs. 7

Turning now to the specific embodiment of the invention illustrated in Fig. 1 of the drawings, the package stacking mechanism is supported on a mobile carriage comprehensively designated by the number 75, having at its front end a pair of uprights 76 forming a substantially vertical guide along which an elevator 77 travels. Supported on the mobile carriage 75 'is an extensible feed conveyor 80 on which packages are fed to the machine. The number 81 designates a turntable carried by the elevator 77 which receives the cases from the extensible conveyor 80 and turns some or all of the cases one-quarter turn. Mounted on the forward end or the'elevator platform 77, and movable in 'a substantially horizontal plane toward andaway from the elevator carriage 77, is a package supporting member comprehensively designated '82. A package holding member 83 is also mounted on the elevator 77 and has capacity for movement toward and away from the platform 77, above thepackage supporting member 82. As will appear in furtherdetail hereinafter, the package supporting member 82'and package holding member 83 coact with one another to receive and discharge the packages from the'tur'ntable 81 and to form them into stacks. I

V The mobile carriage 75 includes lower frame members 75' supportedon rear wheels 85. A pair of front wheels 86, at the forward end of other frames 84, have capacity for movement up and down with respect to the frames 84, and are automatically'o-perated as will appear in further detail hereinafter. The frames 75 into which frames 84 are telescopically fitted have pairs of rear uprights 87, intowhich uprights 87, are telescopically fitted. The uprights 87' comprise supports for a transverse shaft 90 which supports one 'end of the extensible conveyor 81 which may have any desired construction whereby said conveyor 80 is longitudinally extensible'and contractable. It will be observed that the extensible conveyor 80 has telescopically arranged side arms 91 and that a sprocket 92 is provided for driving the conveyor from any convenient source, not shown.

A power operated hydraulic cylinder 93-ispivotally connected at its lower end to a frame plate 94which is fixed to the frames and uprights 84 and 87. The cylinder 93 has a combined cylinder and piston 1001 which is con- Cir 1 nected to a transverse arm 96 the ends of which are fixed to sliding arms 97 which are telescopically arranged in rigid support arms 100. The support arms 100 are fixed to substantially horizontal support arms 101, which are pivoted at 99 to the uprights 87. t

The sliding arms 97 are connected through arm extensions 1112 and by a pivotal connection 103 to the elevator 77. It will be appreciated that-the elevator 77 carries a plurality of rollers 104 which engage the uprights 76, and that the cylinder 93 accordingly has capacity to move the elevator 77 up and down along the uprights 76.

Means are provided on the elevator 77 for supporting the packages received from the extensible conveyor 80, for turning the packages, and for advancing them to the package supporting member. Referring more particularly to Figs. l3 of the drawings, a plurality of transverse driven shafts 1115 are supported on the elevator 77 and carry a plurality of drive rollers 106 which engage and support 'thepackages. Rollers 106 are driven through sprockets 1'07 from a chain drive 110 which appears in Fig. 3. At the forward end of the elevator 77 is an inclined gravity-type conveyor including a pair of pivoted, normally inclined side arms 111 which carry rollers 112 and idler wheels 113 forthe packages delivered by the drive rollers 1116. It will be appreciated that the inclined gravity roll or conveyor has sufiicient inclination to deliver the packages to thepackage supporting plate 82. The turntable mechanism carried by the elevator 77 is illustrated in more particular detail in Figs. 1-3 and 8-13. The turntable 81 includes a package supporting framework 114 fixed by means of screws 118 to an inner cylinder 115, which is slidable in an outer cylinder 116 fixed to a horizontal platform 117 comprising a portion of the elevator 77. A central, vertical post 120 is fixedto and extends upwardly from'the platform 117. Near its upper end the post 120 carries four swinging cams 121 which are supported by pivot pins 122 which include stop members allowing swinging movement of'the cams 121 through a limited arc. The cams are urged to swing in the direction indicated by the arrows in'Figs. 8 andll by springs 123 which are fixed to pivot pins 122 and engage the swinging cams 121. Fixed inside the inner cylinder 115 are cam followers-124 having cam follower surfaces 125 forming curved passages 126 "each of which repre the platform 117. The number 242 designates; an inlet port through which pressurized fluid is admitted to the inner cylinder 115. Referring more particularly to Figs. 10-13, it will be appreciated that the pressurized fluid lifts the inner cylinder 115 relative to the post 120,- causing the upper vertical passages 127 to move upwardly past the swinging cams 121; then the lower tips 130 of swinging cams 121 are swung upwardly by springs 123 into the curved passages 126, as shown in Fig. 11. Since the swinging cams 121 have capacity for only limited swinging movement, the tips 130 bear against the cam follower surfaces, causing the cam followers to rotate as indicated by the arrows in Fig. 12, causing the inner cylinder 115 and the package supporting framework 114 to rotate onequarter turn as it is raised above the drive rollers 106. It will be appreciated that the diameter of the head portion 131 of each swinging cam 121-is approximately equal to the width of each curved passage 126 Upon completion of the one-quarter turn, the swinging cams 121 are engaged in lower vertical passages 132 as shown in Fig. 13, and the pressurized fiuid raises the package supporting framework 114 slightly, without turning. The number 244 (Fig. 8) designates an outlet for releasing the fluid pressure thereby actuating the pressure switch 226 which in turn reverses the valve 224 thereby exhausting the pressure in the cylinder and permitting the inner cylinder 115 to descend without turning until the position shown in Fig. 10 is reached, whereupon the turntable mechanism is in readiness for another package turning operation,

Means are provided for supporting the package sup porting member and thepackage holding member on the elevator 77 with capacity for movement in a substantially horizontal plane toward and away from the elevator 77. The package supporting member 82 hasa bottom plate 133 to which are affixed (see Fig. 4) a pair of longitudinally extending Z irons 134, which. extend outwardly from the sides of the bottom plate 133. The Z irons 134 have upper flanges 135 which extend over a plurality of lower rollers 136 which are rotatably mounted on the side walls of the elevator 77 Similarly,,the package holding member 83 is supported on a pair of longitudinally extending angle irons 137 (Fig. 4) which extend outwardly immediately below a plurality of upper rollers 140 which are rotatably supported on the side walls of the elevator 77 above the lower rollers 136. The lower rollers 136 are substantially horizontally aligned, asare the upper rollers 140. The number 141 designates a wear strip which may consist of a self-lubricating metal such as oilite bronze, for example. The wear strip 141 extends between the angle irons 137 and the upper flanges 135 of the Z irons 134. Accordingly it will be appreciated that the Z irons 134 and 137 are free to move with respect to one another with a minimum of friction, and that the package supporting plate and the package holding means have capacity for reciprocation in a substantially horizontal plane independently of one another, in the absence of any package on the package supporting member.

The package supporting member 82 includes an upper package supporting plate or tray 142 (see particularly Fig. 2) which has a treadle 143 which is actuated by the weight of the package coming from the rollers 112 and idler wheels 113 which are mounted on the inclined pivoted arms 111. The treadle 143 is mechanically connected to actuate a switch 305 which is mounted in a fixed position with respect to the supporting plate 142. The bottom plate 133 carries wheels 148 which facilitate the movement of the package supporting member 82 over packages P (Fig. 27) toward and from the elevator 77.

Fixed to the supporting plate 142 are transverse channels 144 which are rectangular in cross section. By means of the channels 144, various side-extensions maybe added to the central portion 82 of the package supporting member. One such extension is shown in Fig. 24 and designated by the number 145. The extension 145 may be secured to the package supporting member by means of a telescopic hollow rectangular connector 146 which is shown in perspective in Fig. 26. Another extension is the roller type extension 147, which is illustrated in Fig. 25, and which may be similarly connected to the package supporting member. The roller extension 147 includes a front roller 150 and a rear roller 151 each rotatable about an axis which extends generally longitudinally of the package stacking machine.

Figs. 17, 18 and 19 illustrate the details of an extension member which is adapted to be connected to either end of the package supporting member. This extension member has end plates 152 having a hinged connection 153 with a slide plate 154. Each end plate 152 is normally upwardly inwardly inclined, as is illustrated in solid lines atthe left hand of Fig. 17 and in dot dash lines at the right hand of Fig. 17. As appears in Figs. 19 and 44 switches 311 and 312 are secured to the slide plate 154 in position for actuation by the outward pivotal movement of end plate 152.

Each end plate 152 is movable bodily inwardly and outwardly toward and away from the longitudinal center of the package supporting means. A guide block 155 having V-shaped guide grooves 156 at each side edge thereof is fixed to the top plate 157 of an extension 145, which in turn is fixed to the body of the package supporting member or to another extension member similar to those shown and described in connection with Figs. 24 and 25, for example. The slide plate 154 simi- V-shaped guide grooves 156, whereby the slide plate 154 has capacity for movement relative to the plate 157 in the directions indicated by the arrows in Fig. 19. Cyl' inders 160 and 160, see Figs. 19 and 44, are pivoted at one end to the blocks 155, while theirpistons 161 and 161 are pivoted to the slides 154. Means are provided, as will be described in further detail hereinafter, for actuating the pistons 161 and 161' in either direction in order to move each end plate 152 selectively in and out, toward and away from the longitudinal center line of the package stacking machine.

Means are provided on the package supporting plate for sweeping each package outwardly from the longitudinal center of the supporting plate toward one end or the other end of the package supporting plate. Turning more particularly to Figs. 2, 6 and 7 of the drawings, a semi-circular guide plate 162 is pivotally attached by means of a pin 163 to the bottom plate 133 of the package supporting member 82. Pivotally attached to the guide plate 162, as at 165, 165 are piston rods-166, 166 extending from cylinders 167, 168. The cylinders 167,

168 are pivotally attached as at 170, 170 to the bottom plate 133. It will be noted that the cylinders 167, 168 constitute a means for pivoting the guide plate 162 about the pin 163.

Secured to the bottom plate 133 are a pair of spaced guide bars 171 having suitable grooves 172 for reception of tongues carried by a slide block 173. The slide block 173 has an elongated slot 174 therein, and the pin 163 extends upwardly through the slot 174, thus constraining the slide block 173 to longitudinal movement relative to the bottom plate 133. The slide block 173 has a wing portion 175 afiixed thereto which is provided with substantially L-shaped slots 176 within which pins 177 are adapted to become engaged during the pivotal movement of the guide plate 162 in one direction or the other] When either one of the pins, as shown in Figs. 6 and 7, becomes engaged with the wing portion 175 of the slide 173, it causes the slide block 173 to move forward and hence longitudinally with respect to the bottom plate 133. A pair of links 180 are pivotally attached to the slide block 1'73 and are pivotally attached to a sweep block 181 which extends beneath the upper surf-ace of plate 142 of the package supporting tray 82. An L-shaped sweep arm 182 which is pivotally attached and spring actuated by spring 188 to the sweep block 181 and is spaced above and overlies the package supporting tray 82, and is adapted to engage cartons or packages and to move them from side to side as the sweep arm 182 is moved from side to side. It will be appreciated that the sweep arm 182 is spaced above the package supporting tray 82, and is pivoted at point 182' as shown in Figs. 2 and 3 so that as the plate assembly 82 is'withdrawn beneath the holding member 83 the sweep arm 182 may ride up and over the holding member 83 and pivot about the axis at 182 as shown in Fig. 30 so that the leading edge of holding member 83 may clear. the forward edge of the supporting member 82 and clear the rollers 112 and idler wheels 113, as shown in Fig. 15. Movement of the sweep arm 181 is controlled by the sliding action of the slide block 173 as well as by the roller 183 which is secured to the guide plate 162 and which engages the links 180.

It is to be noted that the slots 176 are so spaced and are of such size and extent and the roller 183 is so positioned that the movement of the piston rods 166 to actuate the guide plate 162 will cause the sweep arm 181 to move from side to side without any longitudinal movement relative to the package supporting member 82.

The sweep arm 181 is normally positioned at either side of the package supporting plate 82 to permit acccess of packages to the plate 82 and to permit actuation of treadle 143. by the packages. In Figs. 3 and 6, the sweep arm 181 is shown in a central location for clarity of for example.

illustration, midway between its limit positions, moving toward one or the other of said limit positions.

Means are provided for displacing the packages forwardly with respect to the; elevator 77, and further means are provided for displacing the packages from the package supporting member 82. Referring more particularly to Figs. 2 and 7 of the drawings, a telescopic cylinder comprehensively designated 184 includes a stationary cylinder ldfi having a yoke 186 fixed to the elevator platform 117, and a movable cylinder 187 which carries piston rod 1% fixed to the package holding member A separate cylinder 191 is pivoted at its base to a yoke 192 fixed tot-he bottom plate 133 of package supporting member 82. Cylinder 191 has a piston 193 which isv pivoted to the package holding member 83. Accordi ",3", the cylinder 191 and piston 193 constitute a power means extending between the package supporting member and the package holding member.

Means are provided for automatically operating the power cylinders 184 and 191 to reciprocate the package supporting means and the package holding means toward and away from the elevator 77. This means includes a source of air or hydraulic fluid under pressure (not shown) which may be a conventional air compressor, Valve means are provided for regulating the automatic operation of the apparatus, and will further be described.

Peeler means are provided for controlling the automatic operation of the device. Turning to Figs. 1, 3 and 14-16 of the drawings, an arm 1% is fixed to pulleys 195 which are mounted for rotation on transverse axles 1% which are fixed to the side walls of box sections 197 of elevator 77. Cables 298 are attached at one end to pulleys 195 and at their other ends to pulleys 2M which are rotatable on axles 282 which are mounted in the sides of elevator 77. Actuator arms 283 are pivoted by pins 204 on pulleys 281. One end of arms 2W3 extends through slots 205 of the elevator structure 77 and the other ends are attached at 287 to the ends of tension springs 286. The other ends of springs 286 are attached at fixed positions 210 to the elevator 77. The springs 286 are of suflicient strength to maintain the feeler arm 194- upright, as illustrated in Fig. 14, overcoming the force of gravity, with stops 211 in registry with the tops of box sections 197 and with the weight of feeler arm 134 suspended forwardly of the axles 1%.

The actuator arms 203 have forward edges 212 which are arranged for contact with the back of the package supporting member 82 to lower the feeler arm 194 to the position illustrated in solid lines in Fig. 15 of the drawings. Thearm 194- descends by gravity. The arm 19 carries switch operator screws 213 which operate switches 322, 323 (see also Fig. 44) which forces the package supporting member 82 forwardly, as will further become ap parent hereinafter. With the forward movement of pack age supporting member 82, the tension spring 286 lifts the feeler; arm 194 to its upper position as shown in Fig. 14.

If, during the downward movement of feeler arm 194 it comes in contact with a package P, as shown in dotdash lines in Fig. 15, the package supporting member 82 remains in the position shown in Fig.15 and the cable 280 remains slack as shown in dot-dash lines in Fig. 15 until such time as the elevator 77 is raised to such a height that the switch actuator 213 contacts the switches 322 and 323 as shown in Figs. and 36, forcing the package supporting member 82 forwardly from the elevator 77.

It will be appreciated that the switch actuator screw is adjustable relative to fceler arm 194 to vary the height to which the elevator is raised. The apparatus is thus adapted to handle packages of various heights.

Figs. 28-43 illustrate the operation of the package supporting member 82 and the package holding member 83. Figs. 28-31 show how those members would operate in Ell the absence of any package on the package supporting member 82. Assuming the reference line A--A to be stationary and immovablewith respect to the elevator 77, upon actuation of the, telescopic cylinder 184, the package holding member 83- is moved forwardly to the position illustrated in Fig. 30, and the package supporting member 82 remains stationary. The frictional force between the angle irons 137 of the package holding member 83 and the Z irons 134 of package supporting member 82, through the wear strip 141, is insufficient to overcome; the inertia of the package supporting member 82 which accordingly remains stationary. As illustrated in Figs. 29 and 31, the feeler arm 194 remains upright in view of the fact that the package supporting member 82 remains stationary.

Figs. 3236 illustrate the operation of the apparatus when a plurality of packages P are located on the package supporting member 82. The actuation of the cylinder 134 moves the package holding member 83 forwardly as indicated by the arrows in Figs. 32 and 33. Since a substantial frictional force exists between the packages P and the upper surface of the package supporting member 32, and since that frictional force is greater than the frictional force between the respective Z irons 134 and angle irons 137 (through wear strip 141), the package supporting member 82 moves forwardly along with the package holding member 83 In this manner, the pushing force ofthe member 83 is transmitted through the packages to the package supporting member 82.

When the package strikes an obstruction such as the wall W or a previously formed stack of packages, the cylinder 191 is actuated automatically, as will further be described. The actuation of the cylinder 191 forces the package supporting member 82 rearwardly toward the elevator, moving the package supporting member 82 out from under the packages P until the front of member 82 is in line with member 83; then both are withdrawn together. As shown in Figs. 15 and 35, as member 82 strikes lever 203, the feeler arm 194 drops until its end contacts the top of the package P, and the switch actuator screws 213 do not contact the switches 322 and 323 which are accordingly not actuated. Since the package supporting member 82 is in its rearmost position, adjacent the elevator 77, the elevator 77 is raised as illustrated in Fig. 36, until the feeler arm 194 and particularly the switch operator screws 213 thereon, actuate the switches 322 and 323 which initiates the repetition of the cycle just described.

Figs. 3741 illustrate how the package stacking machine re-positions itself after completing a stack of packages, pushing itself rearwardly from the completed stack to a proper position for initiating another stack adjacent to the completed stack. As illustrated in Fig. 37, just after completing a stack, the elevator 77 rises slightly and then contacts an upper limit switch 326, causing the elevator 77 to descend to its lower limit position as shown in Fig. 39. The automatic actuation of the telescopic cylinder 184 pushes the package holding member 83 together with the packages P and the package supporting member 82 against the stack S of previously stacked packages. The sweep block 181 contacts the stack S before the cylinder 184 is completely extended, and stops the package supporting member 82. This causes air pressure to build up, which automatically introduces high pressure air into the stationary cylinder 185 in a manner which will further be described hereinafter. The high pressure air, operating the relatively powerful cylinder 185, pushes the packages P forwardly relative to the package supporting member 82, pushing the packages firmly against the stack S. Operating through the packages P, the powerful cylinder 185 pushes the entire package stacking apparatus rearwardly from the position illustrated by the dash line A--A in Fig. 39 to the position represented by thesolid line A-A in Fig. 39. The automatic operation of the package suppor'u'ng member 82 and package holding member 83 then continues and the row of packages P is discharged as indicated in Fig. 41, after which the new stack is formed in. the manner heretofore described.

Figs. 42 and 43 illustrate how the packages are used as a gauge to predetermine how far the package stacking machine is pushed. rearwardly from a previously formed stack S. Turning to Fig. 42, the packages P have been turned by the turntable mechanism heretofore described, andextend laterally across the package supporting member 82. A substantially free space (at) extends between the forward faces of the packages Pand the rear faces of the stacked packages S. The low pressure movable cylinder 187 has suflicient power to move the package holding member 83 to the position illustrated in solid lines in Fig. 42 at which point the sweep block ISll contacts the stacked packages S. At this point the relatively powerful cylinder 185 is automatically actuated as will further be explained, moving the packages P forwardly with respect to the package supporting member 82, through the space x, to the position shown in dot-dash lines in Fig. 42, whereupon the packages P contact the stack .8. Upon exertion of further pressure, using power cylinder 185, the package stacking machine is displaced rearwardly from the stack S througha distance which is equal to the width of the packages P as distinguished from their length. In this manner the width of the package is used as a gauge to control the extent of rearward displacement of the package stacking machine. As indicated in Fig. 43, the machine is automatically actuated to withdraw the package supporting member 82 from beneath the packages P, and then to withdraw the package holding member 83 from the position shown in dot-dash lines in Fig. 43 to the position shown in solid lines in Fig. 43.

Means are provided for supporting the front end of the mobile carriage 75 on the front wheels 86 when the elevator 77 is lowered, thereby facilitating the rearward displacement of the package stacking machine from a previously stacked row of packages.

Turning more particularly to Figs. 20-23 of the drawings, the front wheels 86, 86 are mounted on a Ushaped axle 214 which extends through frame 84 of the mobile carriage 75 with capacity for rotation about the axis of an axle portion 215 which is eccentric with respect to the centers of wheels 86. The axle 214 includes normally inclined leg members 216, 216 which are connected by a cross rod 217. It will be appreciated that the wheels 86, 86 are resting on the ground or floor by gravity as shown in Figs. 20 and 21, and that the elevator '77, descending. as indicated by the arrow in Fig. 20, contacts the cross rod 217 forcing the rod 217 downwardly to the position illustrated in Figs. 22 and 23, lifting the mobile carriage- 75 off the floor or other supporting surface, transferring the weight of the carriage 75 to the wheels 86, 86. In this manner the carriage 75 may relatively easily be rolled. rearwardly as indicated by the horizontal arrow in Fig. 23. It will be appreciated that, when the elevator 77 is lifted, the carriage 75 settles by gravity to the floor or to the support surface, resting on friction pads 218, 218.

Turning now to Fig. 44, the automatic operation of the machine is as follows:

Air is applied to the machine through air regulator 301 throwing pressure switch 302 connecting the source of' electrical current to. point V-1 of relay 303. When load switch 304 is actuated current is applied to point E-7 of the solenoid of relay 303, applying voltage V-l to con-- tact point A-0. This voltage is applied to the control to conveyor drive motor actuating the conveyor assembly 80. Voltage is also applied to the contact point designated. A- on valve 501 causing voltage to be applied to point. A-l, actuating the corresponding solenoid and throwing: the valve applying air line pressure from line 600 to line- 601. When the valve is thrown to this position mechanical action of the valve (the dash lines in the drawing indicatemechanical connection between valve plunger and electri-- cal switch) transfers the control voltage from point A-l,

10 to contact point A-2. Voltage simultaneously is applied to contact point A-0 of switch 305 located on package supporting plate 142.

To begin the operation of the machine the first package is placed on plate 142 manually in such a position that the contact point A-0 of switch 305 is closed, applying voltage to contact point A-3. This voltage is simultaneously appliedto the A-3 side of switch 228. With the conveyor in operation, packages are fed to the turntable 81. Normally-open switches 228 and 230 are so positioned in turntable unit 81 that they are simultaneously closed when a package is centered over turntable 81 but one or the other is left open if the package is not properly centered. The voltage A-3 is then applied through switch 228 to contact point A-4 of switch 230 and, as switch 230 is closed by the package voltage A-5 is applied through contact point A-S of valve 502 and as the valve is in 01f position to contact point A-6 (contact A-5 is connected to contact A-6) causing the solenoid to operate and switch line pressure 601 to line 602. The mechanical action of the valve switches contact point A-S so that contact points A-2 and A-7 are connected. Voltage is then applied to point A-7 of switches 307 and 308. Simultaneously, voltage is applied through solenoid 701 to Wiper arm 310 of sequence mechanism S if the contact point 1 of sequence mechanism S is placed in the position shown by phantom lines in Fig. 44 and designated as A3, then the wiper arm 310 transfers voltage through this point designated as A-8 and this voltage is applied to the contact point A-8 of switches 306 and 309. In this manner the distance of travel of the sweep arm 182 can be controlled as switches 306, 307, 308, 309 are so positioned on the top of plate 133 with respect to the straight edge of the semicircular pivot plate 162 that through cam actions they are thrown by the movement of plate 162 which moves in timed relation to the movement of the sweep arm 182.

Considering that valve 503 is in position so that line pressure 602 is applied to line 603, then cylinders 167, 168 cause the-straight edge of the pivot plate 162 to move the sweep arm 182 in the direction of switches 306 and 307, moving the first case placed upon the supporting plate 142 to the left until switch 306 is closed, applying voltage at A-8 to contact point A-9 of valve 503, and through contact point A-9 to contact point A-10 of the solenoid causing the valve 503 to shift the line pressure 602 from line 603 to line 604, at which time the mechanical action of the valve also transfers contact point A-9 from contact point A-10 to contact point A-11 of valve 502 and through contact A-11 to contact point A42 actuating the solenoid and causing valve 502 to shift to the off position, cutting off the air supply to cylinders 167, 168 and also breaking the connection between contact point A-11 and A-12, returning the circuit to a stand-by position.

As the second case is placed upon supporting plate 142 (by the turntable unit 81 which is in operation as will be further described hereinafter), said second case closes the contact points in switch 305. Also, the third case is fed upon turntable unit 82 concurrently closing contact points 228 and 230 as heretofore described applying voltage to point A-S of valve 502 thereby actuating the solenoid attached to contact point A-6 causing the valve 502 to shift and apply line pressure 601 to line 602 and through valve 503 to line 604 actuating cylinders 167, 168 thereby moving pivot plate 162 causing sweep arm 182 to move to the right. The straight edge of pivot plate 162 moves in the direction of switches 308 and 309 until the contact points in switch 308 are closed; then voltage A7 is applied to contact point A-13 of valve 503 and to contact point A-14 connected to the corresponding solenoid of valve 503 causing the line pressure 602 to be transferred from line 604 back to line 603. The mechanical action of thevalve causes contact point A 13 to be transferred from A-14 to A-ll and through A-llto con- 11 tact point A-12 attached to the solenoid on valve 502 again shutting off the air from line 601 and returning the system to the stand-by position.

This action is repeated until the space between the end plate 152, 152 of support plate 142 is filled with packages or cases. 7 Now assuming that three cases are sufficient to till the space between the end plates 152, 152, when the first case is moved to the left by sweep arm 182, it closesthe contact point of switch 311 and the second case moved to the right closes contact points A-15 and A416 in switch 312. As the third casev is fed onto the support plate 142, closing the switch 365 the voltage A-0 is applied to point A3 on switch 311 and from there to contact points A-15 and A-16 of switch 312 and then to point A16 of the solenoid on relay 303, thereby throwing relay 303 and transferring the voltage V-i to contact point. 341 of relay 313 and voltage A-lti is applied to the solenoid of relay 313 it connects contact point B-0 to B1. Now voltage is applied through contact B1 of valve 501 to contact B-2 actuating the corresponding solenoid and causing the valve 501 to shift, transferring line pressure 600 from line 601 to line 605. Through the mechanical action of the valve 501, the contact point 18-1 is transferred from point B2 to point 8-3 and applies voltage through contact point B-3 to point B of valve 504 actuating the corresponding solenoid and shifting valve 504 applying line pressure from line 605 to line 606 which is connected to a solenoid valve 505. Through the mechanical action of valve 504, the contact point B-3 is attached through points B5 to B6 on the valve 505, causing the valve 505 to throw line pressure from line 606 to line 607, and through the mechanical action of the valve transferring contact point B-S to contact point 8-7 of the pressure switch 314, attached to cylinder 187.

It will be recalled that the piston rod of cylinder 187 is connected to the package holding member 83, while the base of the cylinder 185 is fixed to the elevator carriage member 77 which has capacity for movement up and down but not longitudinally or laterally relative to the vertical supports or uprights 76.

The purpose of the pressure switch 314 is to allow cylinder 184 to operate on a variable length of stroke. The switch 314 is set at such a pressure that the cylinder can move the package supporting member 82 and its assembly forward the full length of its stroke, and when the limit of the stroke is reached, pressure increases un til the switch 314 is thrown contacting points 8-7 and B12 and applying voltage to point 3-12 on relays 313 and 317.

For rack stacking, or warehouse stacking, on the second stroke when cylinder 18d starts its forward motion. with the plate assembly at the same elevation as the previous stroke, the package supporting assembly 32 5 comes in contact with the previously stacked cases thereby allowing the pressure in the cylinder to build up to the degree necessary to actuate the presure switch 314.

When voltage is applied to the solenoid attached to 8-12 in relay 313 and 317, the contact point B() in relay 313 makes contact with (3-0 in relay 317 and contact point C-0 in relay 317 is brought in contact with point C-ll, thereby applying voltage to point C1 of valves 504, 507 and hydraulic valve 508. Voltage through point C-1 is transferred to point C-2 of valve 507 thereby actuating the corresponding solenoid and causing the air pressure in line 600 to be applied to line 608 and applied to elevating cylinder 93. Simultaneously the voltage is applied through point C-1 to point E2 of valve 508 causing the hydraulic valve 508 to close, locking the cylinder 93 in position by the use of a hydro check apparatus built into the cylinder 93, as will now be described.

.Cylinder 93 is effectively a hydro-check comprising a hydraulic cylinder 1001 operating inside a normal air cylinder designated 1002. The cylinder of the hydraulic portion 1001 acts as a piston rod for the air cylinder 1002. The piston rod or the hydraulic portion is designated 1003 and is fixedly attached to the base 1004 of the air cylinder 1002. By the action of valve 508 the hydraulic portion of the mechanism can be locked in place and the air portion is controlled byvalve 507.

When voltage is applied through point C-1 to point C-3 of valve 504 it causes the valve 504 to shift so that the air pressure of line 605 is applied through line-609 to valve 511. Through the mechanical action of valve 504 the voltage applied through C-1 is applied to C-4 of valve 511 causing valve 511 to apply the pressure carried by line 609 to line 610, thereby actuating cylinder 191. Through the mechanical action of valve 511, the voltage applied to point C-4 is now applied to point C-6 of switch 318. The piston rod of cylinder 191 is, attached to package holding member 83 and the base of the cylinder 191 is attached to plate 133 which is fixed to the package supporting member 82. Therefore, when air is applied through line 610 to cylinder 191, sufficient force is exerted between the package holding member 83 and the package supporting member 82 to withdraw the member 82 from beneath the cases leaving the cases in the desired position.

When the piston of cylinder 191 completes its forward stroke the piston contacts cam 318 closing the points of switch 318 and applying the voltage of point C-6 to point C-7 of relay 317 and 319, thereby actuating the solenoids in relays 317 and 319 to cause point C-0 of relay 317 to contact point D-0 of 319 and thereby applying voltage to point D- l of relay 319. Voltage is thereby applied to points D-1 of valves 504, 506, 507 and 509. Voltage is applied through point D-1 of valve 50-4 to the solenoid attached to point D-2 causing valve 504 to shift so that the line pressure of line 605 is applied to line 606 and the mechanical action of the valve thereby connects point D-1 of valve 504 to D-3 of valve 505 causing the valve 505 to shift so that line pressure 606 is applied to line 611.

Through the mechanical action of valve 505 the volt age carried by point D-3 is applied to point D-S of switch 320 located on cylinder 184. The pressure carried by line 611 causes the piston rod assembly of cyls inder 184 to retract returning the package holding member 83 toward the elevator 77. At the completion of this stroke of the piston rod of cylinder 184 the piston contacts cam 321, closing the contact point in switch 320 thereby applying the voltage carried by point D 5 to point D-9 of switch 322 and valve 508 thereby causing valve 508 to open and as air pressure is now applied through line 608 to cylinder 93 the carriage 77 is raiseduntil the feeler arm 194 (the forward edge of which is now resting on the last package stacked) assumes a predetermined position thereby closing switches 322 and 323 at which time the voltage carried by point D9-of switch 322 is applied through point D-11 of switch 323 to point D-12 of relay 3119 thereby actuating the solenoid of relay 319 and causing the contact point D-0 to make contact with the point E-l of relay 319.

The voltage now carried by point E-l is applied through point E-1 of valve 508 to the solenoid attached to valve 508, causing thevalve to close and stop further movement of the cylinder 93. Simultaneously the volt age is applied through point 134. of valve 504 to point E3 causing the valve to shift and apply the air pressure of line 605 to line 609' and by the mechanical action of the valve switchcontact point E-l to come in contact with point 15-4 of valve 511 thereby actuating the solenoid attached to point E-5 of valve 511 and transferring the pressure carried by line 609 to line 614 thereby actuating cylinder 191 and causing the package supporting member 82 to be moved rearwardly into the loading position. By the mechanical action of valve 511, the voltage carried by point E-4 is now applied to point E-6 asmeea ofswitch attached to cylinder 191. When the piston V of cylinder 191 completes the stroke it comes in contact with cam 325 thereby closing the contact points of switch 324 and applying the voltage carried at point E-6 to point E-7 of relay 303 thereby transferring the contact point V4 to point A4) of relay 303.

The machine, having completed a complete cycle of operation, has now returned to the load position.

The maximum elevation of elevator carriage 77 is determined by the setting of a switch 326 which may be mounted on an upright 76 or in any other convenient location in the path of movement of carriage 77. At the time air pressure is appliedto cylinder 93 through valve 507 the voltage 13-0 is applied to the B- point of switch 326. When the switch 326 is closed in response to the elevation of the elevator carriage 77, the voltage carried by point B 0 is transferred to point F-l and thence to point F-l of valve 507. Point F-l of valve 507 being in contact with F-2 causes valve 507 to shift to the 03 position exhausting the air from cylinder 93, and allowing the elevator carriage 77 to return to its lowest position. During the time of this lowering operation, the valve 508 isnormally in an open position. When cylinder 93 is completely retracted, cam 328 closes the contact point in switch 327, transferring the voltage from point D-1 to point D-Z of switch 303 thereby connecting voltage D-1 to contact point B-0 of switch 303 and through this action causes the, machine to go through the unloading operation, thereby moving the machine back a sufficient distance from the previously stacked packages to permit loading of the package supporting member 82. At the completion of this action the machine returns to the stand-by position.

When package supporting member 82 is again filled with packages, all as previously described herein, it re peats the unloading motion and, by using the particular package as a gauge, moves itself the required additional distance, if any, from the previously stacked packages. At the completion of this movement, the feeler arm 194 drops to its lowest position, closing the switches 322,

a truck or railroad car, for example. If desired,.a railroad car having central doors can be loaded by stacking from the front of the car back to the door opening, from the back of the car forwardly to the door opening, and then by stacking laterally of the central portion of the car, ultimately backing the machine out the door opening onto a loading platform, forexample. Other methods of loading-various types of carriers, as well as stacking in warehouses, will readily become apparent.

The sequence mechanism S is efiectively a stepping machine for the control of the turntable and to control the distance of travel of the sweep arm 182.

By bringing certain of the contact points designated 1 to 25 inclusive of sequence mechanism S into the path of the wiper arm 310, it is possible to select which of switches 306, 307, 308 and 309 will be operable thereb varying the distance of travel of sweep arm 182.

By bringing certain of the contact points 26 to 50 inclusive of sequence mechanism S into the path of the wiper arm 310 it is possibleto control the operations of the turntable in accordance with a predetermined sequence.

The voltage carried by point A-Z of valve 502 is applied to point A-J and thence through the solenoid 701 to the wiper arm 310, thence to point A-18 of the sequence mechanism and this in turn is connected to solenoid 234 on valve 224 of the turntable mechanism.

In the operation of the turntable 31 (see Figs. 8 and 44), when the solenoid 234 of valve 224 is actuated, air pressure is passed from line 236 to line 238 and thence to port 242 of the turntable mechanism. As air pressure is applied to the closed space in inner cylinder 115, the cylinder is forced upwardly and the swinging cams 121 are engaged in the respective curved passages 126 causing the turntable 81 to turn one-quarter turn as it is raised upwardly. At the completion, of the upstroke, air is passed through port 244 actuating pressure switch 226 and applying voltage to solenoid 232 thereby causing valve 224 to shift to the o position and exhaust the air in cylinder 115 through line. 238 through the exhaust port 240 in valve 224, thereby allowing the turntable 81 to return to its lowest position, thereby depositing the package on the driven conveyor after having turned it one-quarter turn. In this manner, by actuating or failing to actuate the turntable, packages can be fed to supporting member 82 either longitudinally or laterally, thereby making it possible for the machine to rack-stack or warehouse-stack the packages.

The selective operation of the turntable is governed by the sequence mechanism 8; wherein the contact A-7 of sweep arm 310 either contacts or fails to contact the outer contacts 26-50, which may be positioned inwardly or outwardly in a predetermined manner in order to provide the desired sequence. It will accordingly be appreciated that a wide variety of stacking patterns can readily be set up and automatically carried into effect.

The selective operation of the cylinders 160, 160, is'controlled by a sequence mechanism comprehensively idesignated S When the plate starts the unloading sequence of actions and voltage is applied to the contact point designated 3-1 on relay 313, voltage is transferred to point B1 of valve 501. By the mechanical action of the valve 501, this voltage is transferred to point 13-3 of valve 504. By the mechanical action of valve 504 voltage is transferred to the arm 350 of sequence mechanism 8;. If it is desired to actuate the cylinder 160 in Fig. 44, independently of the cylinder 160', thereby shifting the cases to the right as viewed in Fig. 1 (against the right hand end plate 152), then points 63-68 and points 69-74 of sequence mechanism S should be moved radially into the path of the wiper arm 350 as shown by phantom lines in Fig. 44, in connection with points 63 and 69. The voltage carried by point B5 of wiper arm 350 is thereby transferred to the contact point G-ll of valve 506, and thence to the solenoid attached to point G-3 of valve 506, causing. valve 506 to shift the air pressure from line 606 tb line 615. The voltage carried by point B5 of wiper arm 350 is transferred to point 6-} of valve 509, thence to the solenoid attached to contact point G-4 of valve 509 causing valve 509 to shift its position and transfer the air in line 615 to line 616, thereby actuating the cylinder 160.

If it is desired to actuate the cylinder then point 57 must be placed in the path of the wiper arm 350 of sequence mechanism S as shown by phantom lines in Fig. 44, thereby transferring the voltage carried by point B to the B contact point of valve 506, thence to contact point B410 of valve 506 attached to the corresponding solenoid of valve 506, thereby shifting the line pressure 606 to line 617, operating the cylinder 160. The point 69 of sequence mechanism S must also be in contact with the member 13-5 of wiper arm 350, as just described in connection with the operation of the cylinder 160. For operating the cylinder 160, the solenoid valve 509 must remain in the same position that it occupies when the cylinder 160' is actuated, all as heretofore described.

To simultaneously operate cylinders 160, 160', contact points 51 and 57 are moved in the path of wiper arm 350 of sequence mechanism S Contact 57 in the path of wiper arm 350 transfers voltage to contact point B-S of valve 506 and thence to contact point B-10 attached to the correspondin solenoid of valve 506, causing the valve 

